Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Lifting my eyes

I have nothing profound to say...nothing inspiring or witty to share. To be honest my heart is heavy tonight. I am tired and weary. As I was trying to come up with something to post I opened a book and came to this scripture...

When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of You... Fix my eyes on God- soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God. Psalms 42:6, 11 MSG

Those words were like music to my ears. Life can be exhausting. Trials come. It's hard to always have it together during those times. I can't find it in me to smile. I've excused myself from my family to let the tears fall. Some days are just hard. But I know if I turn my focus to Him the weight will lift. So that's my prayer.

"We need to let God be God, hour by hour, day by day, experience by experience, time after time...And we lie there, praying that the Lord won't let us waste what is going on in any way: 'Help me, Lord, to be what You want me to be in this, to learn what You want me to learn in this, to demonstrate what You want me to demonstrate in this...'" - Edith Schaeffer, Affliction

Youknow what? There is beauty all around us. I encourage you to look for it. If you are struggling...take a walk, open your Bible, close your eyes and say a little prayer. His joy will find you. I can already feel the clouds lifting...

54 comments:

I so love your encouraging words...we all need to hear those...we are all only human and everyone suffers from those down days...hope your look towards the Lord had cheered you and your mood has lifted! xoxoxo Thanks for the reminder!

I enjoyed your entry on Murphy's Landing - I'm from Minnesota and had to search the whereabouts. Looks like a very interesting place to go - it would be a few hours for me but nice to know of its whereabouts.. I'm sure the kids enjoyed having you along especially Big Chick!

I'm sorry you're not having such a good day, I'll say a prayer for you. We all have "those days" and that's okay, God understands & is right there to show us His love again right when we need it most! Thanks for sharing those verses, they really ministered to me as well, and the pictures, once again are just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your heart :)

I always find it interesting how bloggers I've never 'visited' previously so often frequent the same 'circle' of blogs that I do...in your side bar, I find so many of my own favorites...And I clicked here via Amy Thue...Just had to start with that...

And having said that, I've spent quite some time tonite reading through a number of your recent posts...and not knowing you or what you are specifically going through, I feel a connection to what you are learning about God right now. I believe that it is true that God tests certain extra special people in extraordinary ways - much like He did with Job. I also know that He turns the bad stuff to good for believers (Romans 8:28). And, finally, no matter how bad it gets, He wins (Revelation, generally speaking). I think sometimes He burns down the whole barn to allow one petunia to grow. And sometimes it's somebody else's mess He's working on, and we are just a part of the web He uses for good. His works are far more amazing and unfathomable than we can even imagine in our wildest dreams.

So, I don't know ya and have no idea your circumstances, but I do pray that He helps you see the works He has in motion - and if not, just that He provides you with peace of mind.

Dang, Girl!How does it feel to be used by God?We are so broke we can't even afford to pay attention right now and it's wearing on us.But the thought just came to me the other day, if "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose" then what bigger, uglier, scarier calamities is he protecting us from right now?Brrrr! And if is the 'manure time', how glorious will the flowers be?We'll just shout encouragements to each other from our foxholes, shall we?Don't have to meet ya to love ya, Sister!

I love your blog and encouraging words! Also I love your barn painting! I am new to blogging just since Aug. You have struck a cord with me, because I think our temperments may be quite alike. I also like to paint. Watercolor mostly.

Sorry that your heart is heavy right now. Hope you get some time to yourself or with your family to read, paint, listen.....whatever your heart and soul needs to feel peaceful and encouraged. Meredith xo.

Once again Becky you hit the nail on the head... I don't know about you but sometimes my heart is just sad and I'm not really sure why?? I have a very blessed life with a wonderful Hubby and 2 fantastic kiddo's but the sadness still finds me.. I hope to find the peace soon..

We were given emotions for a reason...to feel:) Some days are really hard; I am sorry you are having one of those days. And still, you see the beauty around you & feel grateful...you've just given us inspiration!

Many will be blessed by this post. Sometimes when I feel the way you are describing I will finally come to the Lord....why do I take so long sometimes? Because I am always trying to figure things out myself. Sweet, sweet scripture.

It's been a hard road for me to understand God outside my emotions (He's God, period)and a wonderful thing to praise Him w/my emotions. Dropping along in your post from photo/prose/photo - I could see the Son shining. These are times when faith (what we know but can't see) powers everything else. Hang onto what you KNOW about our Heavenly Father, with all ya got. Hugs to you and for you. Love, Jenn (Is there something you need that we/I can help you with?)

This post helped me today more than my words could describe. Thank you. You are inspirational to me and that 1st picture is amazing. To understand why this helped me so today, please visit www.melifaif.blogspot.comMany blessings!

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Hi...I'm Becky. My life's journey so far has led me to marry my high school sweetheart. We've been married for 22 years, have 2 beautiful girls and a furry creature named Fergie. My painting style is very simple, colorful and almost childlike. I grew up in rural Illinois hence, "Farmgirl Paints". I get my creative inspiration from God. It is only through His giftings that I have any ability whatsoever.